Andrew latest post over at Isocrates reminds me I really need to get Amsterdamize ‘biz’ cards printed. So many times I enjoy encounters which, in the end, has me spelling out the name of this blog or writing it down on a piece of paper. It’s ridiculous. And not just because my handwriting is pretty sloppy.
On Monday, while waiting for Mr Freight’s finishing touches, two gentlemen from Sacramento walked in. Big smiles on their faces as they looked at all the Dutch cycle goodies, particularly the bakfietsen. Yep, we ended up talking, I learned about their passion for cycling (friends since 16, both ex-road racers and nuts about vintage Dutch bikes) and now helping out another friend who’s looking for a bakfiets, while in Amsterdam on business. [Update!] One of the ‘Sacramento Two’, Michael, just send me the picture he took:
Half an hour later I returned to Workcycles’ downtown shop and sure enough, I was invited by Suzanne Hansen to come to her bike shop in Groningen and do a video interview with a retired bike connaisseur, who apparently has great stories to tell, but had missed out on a TV appearance.
The same thing or similar things happen over and over again. Either somebody mentions Amsterdamize to a friend and introduces me to him or her or there are random encounters. I love either of them.
There’s another particular setting that I often find my self in, but that doesn’t necessarily involve the need to leave a card, so to speak. As I got back from town today and rode up to a traffic light, a man on a scooter stopped right next to me. He was in the middle of a conversation with his young son (about 12 years old), who was sitting in front of him, holding on to the handlebars.
Son: “So how old do I have to be to drive a car, dad?”
Dad: “Eighteen.”
Son: “And a moped?”
Dad: “Sixteen. And you also need a license for that.”
Son: “Oh, ok.”
[5 seconds silence]
Son: “And when can I ride a bike?”
I looked at the father, he smiled and I said: “Anytime, all the time”.
The kid: “Of course, I forgot.”
The light turning green at that instant provided a fitting ending. Off they went.
WHAT TO DO NOW?